This week we have author Rula Sinara and she's got a giveaway of an autographed copy of her THE PROMISE OF RAIN. Please welcome Rula Sinara...
Muse-Jogging Tips That Make Me Stumble
& Alternatives
By Rula Sinara
One
man’s trash is another man’s treasure. We’ve all heard the saying and I think,
with a twist, it applies to tips writers use to jog their muse or help them
brainstorm a scene. An activity that brings a moment of epiphany to one writer,
might flat out murder the muse of another. I’ve read posts and lists on what
writers like to do when they need a break from their computer and their brain
and butt’s gone numb. Well, I’m going to list the top 3 tips I’ve read about that don’t work
for me and what I do instead.
Okay,
here it goes…failed tips:
1.
Washing dishes: Um, I understand that the
rhythm and mindless monotony of certain chores helps clear the head and make
room for daydreaming…I mean…brainstorming for a story or scene, but the only
thing I can think of while washing dishes is why in the world are there thirty
cups to wash since the last meal if I only have three kids?!!! Annoyance and
frustration are not my muse’s friends.
Alternative: Abandon dishes
while chanting ‘those who soiled can scrub’ and go for a long, quiet drive on a
scenic route.
2.
Listen to Music: Great idea for some, but the
only time I can listen to music is in between manuscripts. It must be how my
brain is wired, but I can’t write with music playing. I need total silence.
Plus, once I hear a song I love, it’ll play in my head for two weeks. Loudly.
And I won’t be able to focus on my story. I do have songs that inspire my
books, but I don’t have book soundtracks like some authors do.
Alternative: Sit outside,
weather permitting, close my eyes and listen to the birds and the rustle of
leaves from the trees that shade the creek by our house. Or open a window on a
rainy day and just listen. Those natural sounds along with the soothing effects
on my other senses (like the smell of rain or the warmth of sun), ground me and
send my imagination into overdrive.
3.
Go to the gym: True, making time for exercise is
critical for anyone who sits at their job. Exercise also gets your blood
circulating and is a great stress reliever…and stress is toxic to both muse and
body. I’ve even read about using an exercise ball instead of a desk chair or
building a treadmill desk. I have one word for that. Motion sickness. I can’t
write and move at the same time. Nor can I read in a car for that matter. As
for gyms…that’s just not me. Too many people. Too much noise and distraction.
Alternative: I do believe
in the positive effects of exercise, but I’ll take mine as a long walk
(preferably a scenic, quiet path…luckily I live in the countryside) or
gardening. I love gardening and planting or even weeding is the perfect activity
for my body and brain. Oh and my muse totally loves gardening (tries to one-up
my green thumb all the time ;).
Notice
I like the outdoors and quiet time, LOL? What about you? What works and what
doesn’t? Any creative ideas? List your (PG rated) tip in the comments for a chance
to win an autographed copy of my Harlequin Heartwarming, The Promise of Rain, along with a pen and matching bookmark. The
winner will be announced here!
Bio:
Rula Sinara lives in Virginia’s countryside with her husband,
three boys and crazy but endearing pets. When she's not writing or doing mom
stuff, she loves organic gardening, attracting wildlife to her yard (cool bugs
included) or watching romantic movies. She also enjoys interviewing fellow
authors and is a Special Contributor for USA Today's Happy Ever After blog. Her
door is always open at www.rulasinara.com or
www.awritersrush.blogspot.com.
Blurb:
The Promise of Rain
He wants to take her child out
of Africa…
The Busara elephant research and rescue camp on Kenya's
Serengeti is Anna Bekker's life's work. And it's the last place she thought
she'd run into Dr. Jackson Harper. As soon as he sets eyes on her
four-year-old, Pippa, Anna knows he'll never leave…without his daughter.
Furious doesn't begin to describe how Jack feels. How could
Anna keep this from him? He has to get his child back to the States. Yet as
angry as he is with Anna, they still have a bond. But can it endure, despite
the ocean—and the little girl—between them?
Buy Links:
Find Rula at:
Website: www.rulasinara.com
Twitter:
@RulaSinara
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/RulaSinara
Music definitely works for me.
ReplyDeleteGood tips, Rula!
Thanks, William! I have so many friends who can't write without music. It's amazing how we're all wired so differently. I have one son who listens to classical music while doing math homework. I'd need total silence LOL!
DeleteCongrats, Rula! I can't read in the car either, so I do wonder if writing while moving would cause the same problems. I haven't tried it before. I do like quiet too when writing.
ReplyDeleteHi Cherie! In my experience, I can't write in a moving car either. It's an issue of mixed signals to the brain...on one hand focusing on the stationary page, sitting still etc...while senses also pick up on the movement of the car. I so wish I wasn't the type to be sensitive to motion sickness. I can't even handle things like treadmill writing desks.
DeleteSounds like a great book! Best of luck to Rula. :)
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy listening to music to get me thinking and I am all for a nice long walk- but I am not a gym person. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Jess! Music gets me thinking too. I love it. But once I get the gist of my story idea and head into the writing phase, I can't listen to it. Now, if I could handle listening to music while typing at the gym, my life would be more efficient LOL, but alas, I can't do it :).
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
I hate the dishes, but sweeping always seems to help me, as does a good long run (at the gym or otherwise). It's interesting to see what works best for different people!
ReplyDeleteHi Meradeth! It really is interesting. I love hearing about muse joggers that I haven't tried yet, and discovering that they work for me :). I have cross country runner friends who swear by a good long run :).
DeleteBwa-ha-ha-ha! I think the exact same thing while doing dishes. Truth, the best place to think for me is the shower--because no littles can burst in and disturb my thought process. =)
ReplyDeleteLOL, Crystal! You're too funny :). I'm with you on the shower! Ha, ha!
DeleteI love the tips!! LOL. And that is such a lovely cover. I want to go sit INSIDE that scene!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks so much, Liz! The art team in charge of Harlequin Heartwarming covers has been fabulous. We have some truly beautiful covers in the line. I was really happy with mine...especially since they included elephants (at least with the North American cover release) :). Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind words!
DeleteWalking is a great time for me to think about writing. Dish washing is one of my least favorite activities.
ReplyDeleteHi Medeia! Glad to know I'm not the only one who hates dish washing LOL! I love a clean kitchen but with kids it always seems like a futile effort. I must better train them ;).
DeleteRula! What a joy to find you here with Nas! Waving!!!
ReplyDeleteI walk every day but I rarely think about my story when I walk. Same with any kind of housework. Driving works for me. So do music and nature - as long as I'm just sitting and taking it in. My thumb is black, so I don't garden :)
Waving back at ya, Carol!!!! You're so multi-talented that I highly doubt you have a black thumb LOL. I think about my story while driving too! Great to see you here, my friend :).
DeleteSpecial thanks to lovely Nas for having me here at Romance Book Paradise!
ReplyDeleteAnd the winner of today's random drawing is...
ReplyDeleteLiz Blocker!
Congrats, Liz! Send me your mailing info through my contact page at www.RulaSinara.com and I'll get a signed copy of The Promise of Rain, a matching bookmark and a pen in the mail :)!
Love your alternatives, especially to #3 since I don't go to a gym!
ReplyDelete